Johns Hopkins University Athletics men’s water polo lost to Harvard, 17-13, on September 26, 2026, in Providence, Rhode Island, at the Bruno Invite. The defeat dropped Johns Hopkins to 8-4 on the season and came in the Blue Jays’ second game of the event. Harvard improved to 3-9 and was receiving votes in the week’s CWPA poll.
Harvard Takes Control After First-Quarter Hopkins Lead
Johns Hopkins trailed 3-2 after a Dean Strausser goal before Luke Mendelsohn, Alec Baker and Mason Hofmann scored during the final 99 seconds of the first quarter. Their three late goals gave the Blue Jays a 5-3 lead after one period.
Harvard responded with nine goals in the second quarter to take a 12-6 lead into halftime. Johns Hopkins cut the deficit to one goal during the third quarter, but Harvard scored the final goal of the period to lead 13-11 after three quarters.
Jack Burghardt scored twice during the opening two minutes of the fourth quarter as Harvard extended its advantage to 15-11. Johns Hopkins pulled within three before Lukas Peabody scored with 1:07 remaining. Harvard then closed the game on a 5-2 run.
Mason Hofmann Leads Johns Hopkins
Mason Hofmann led Johns Hopkins with three goals, four assists and three steals. Alec Baker recorded five points, including two goals and three assists, and blocked three shots.
Luke Mendelsohn added four points, including three goals and one assist, while Phillip Long recorded three points with two goals and one assist. Sebastian Isaacs made eight saves and recorded one steal.
MSB Analysis
Johns Hopkins responded to Harvard’s nine-goal second quarter by cutting a six-goal halftime deficit to one during the third period. Harvard regained control early in the fourth quarter and secured the 17-13 victory.
Next Scheduled Game
Johns Hopkins was scheduled to finish its three-game day against Connecticut College at 5:45 p.m. Saturday. The schedule item followed the Blue Jays’ game against Harvard at the Bruno Invite.
Source: Original report
